The vast royal palace loomed before Lassen, its intricate architecture and shimmering golden gates a testament to the kingdom's grandeur. Adrian parked the car smoothly in the courtyard, where a small retinue of royal guards awaited their arrival. Adrian stepped out first, opening the door for Lassen, who emerged with a nonchalant expression, though his eyes scanned the majestic surroundings with mild curiosity.
[Quite the display of power, isn't it?] the system chimed sarcastically.
"Not bad," Lassen muttered under his breath, straightening his jacket. Though Adrian and Alex had insisted he wear something formal, Lassen had managed to keep his attire understated, just shy of disrespectful.
The guards escorted Lassen and Adrian through the ornate halls of the palace. The grandeur was overwhelming—tall columns, exquisite tapestries, and the faint sound of classical music echoing in the distance. Lassen walked casually, his hands in his pockets, while Adrian maintained his stoic professionalism.
As they approached the throne room, a chamberlain stepped forward and announced their arrival. The large double doors opened, revealing King Edmund of Macro seated on his gilded throne. The king, dressed in a simple but elegant robe, radiated an aura of authority tempered with warmth. His sharp eyes focused on Lassen with curiosity.
Lassen bowed slightly, more out of politeness than reverence. "Your Majesty."
The king smiled faintly, gesturing for Lassen to step closer. "Monsieur X. It's an honor to meet the man who has done so much for our kingdom in such a short time."
[Well, at least someone appreciates you] the system quipped.
Lassen ignored the comment and approached with measured steps. "The honor is mine, Your Majesty."
The king studied him for a moment before speaking. "Your contributions have not gone unnoticed. Thanks to your information, we were able to dismantle the espionage network from Geria. You've likely saved countless lives and strengthened our national security. For that, I must ask—do you seek any reward for your services?"
Lassen tilted his head, pretending to think for a moment. "No, Your Majesty. I was just doing what I felt was right."
The king's brows furrowed slightly, as if surprised by the lack of ambition. "Not even a token of gratitude?"
"I value my privacy and my peace," Lassen replied simply. "That's reward enough."
The king chuckled softly. "A rare answer. Very well. But I insist on giving you something as a token of our appreciation." He clapped his hands, and a servant approached, presenting a small, elegant red envelope with the royal seal.
"This," the king explained, "is the 'Red M'—a special vehicle registration used only by the highest-ranking officials in our kingdom. It grants you priority passage through any checkpoint or roadblock, and recognition of your status wherever you go."
Lassen took the envelope with a polite nod. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I'll be sure to use it… wisely."
"And one more thing," the king added, his tone becoming more personal. "Should you ever wish to meet with me directly, bypassing the usual bureaucracy, you have my permission to do so. Consider it a standing invitation."
Lassen smiled faintly. "I appreciate the gesture. I'll try not to abuse it."
The king leaned back on his throne, his gaze thoughtful. "Tell me, Monsieur X, I've heard about your new invention—the virtual reality headset. My advisors tell me it has revolutionary potential."
Lassen's expression brightened slightly. "It's an immersive technology, Your Majesty. A way to step into another world, whether for entertainment, education, or… perhaps, even training."
The king raised an eyebrow. "Training?"
"For soldiers, for instance" Lassen continued.
"The headset can simulate realistic environments and scenarios, allowing users to train without risk. Imagine honing battle strategies or conducting rescue missions, all within a safe, controlled space."
The king nodded slowly, clearly intrigued.
"That could change the way we prepare our forces. Are you suggesting a collaboration with the kingdom?"
Lassen shrugged lightly. "I'm open to it. But I prefer to keep things simple. If there's interest, your people can discuss the details with Alex, my… associate. I'm not one for endless meetings."
The king chuckled again, clearly amused by Lassen's candid nature.
"Very well. I'll have someone reach out to your associate. It seems you prefer to focus on the creative side of things."
"Exactly" Lassen said, a glimmer of humor in his eyes.
"I'm just here to make things interesting."
The king rose from his throne, signaling the end of the audience.
"You are a most unusual man, Monsieur X. But I see why you are respected—and feared. Thank you for your contributions to Macro. I look forward to seeing what you create next."
Lassen gave a small bow, his tone light. "I'll try to keep it entertaining, Your Majesty."
As Lassen turned to leave, Adrian fell into step beside him. The royal guards escorted them back through the palace halls, but Lassen's mind was already elsewhere, thinking about his next project—and how he could avoid any further entanglements with the royal court.
[Well, that went better than expected] the system remarked.
"Not bad" Lassen admitted.
"But I'll have to make sure Alex deals with them from now on. I've had enough royal formality for one lifetime."